A Practical Church Security Guide for Rural North Carolina Ministers
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
As ministers and church leaders in rural North Carolina, we gather each Sunday to worship, learn, and fellowship in the name of Christ. Our churches are meant to be sanctuaries—places of peace, hope, and community. Yet the sobering reality is that even our sacred spaces need protection in today’s world.
Recently, during the Spring Series: “Maximizing Church Resources for Community Impact” Retired Lt. Brian Rucker of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department gave an informative presentation on rural church security, drawing from his extensive law enforcement experience in detention centers, courthouse security, and his current work with church security teams. His insights (10 tips below), combined with growing national concerns about church safety, underscore the importance of taking proactive steps to protect our congregations.
The Growing Need for Church Security
The statistics are alarming. According to the Family Research Council, there were over 430 incidents of hostility and violence against churches in 2023 alone—representing an 800% increase since 2018. These incidents range from vandalism and arson to gun-related crimes, assaults, service interruptions, and bomb threats.
Rural churches face unique challenges. We’re often located miles from the nearest law enforcement station, our congregations know each other well (which can make us less vigilant about strangers), and our limited budgets mean we must be creative with security solutions. But being rural doesn’t mean being vulnerable—with proper planning and awareness, we can create safer environments for worship while maintaining the welcoming spirit that defines our communities.
Tragic Reminders: When Evil Enters Sacred Space
The June 17, 2015 shooting at Emmanuel African Methodist Church in Charleston, South Carolina, serves as a stark reminder that no church is immune to violence. Nine innocent people lost their lives during Bible study that evening. More recently, on February 11, 2024, a woman opened fire at Lakewood Church in Texas, bringing her young child with her into this act of violence.
These tragedies remind us that while we come to church to praise God and study His word, others may enter our doors with different intentions. The same issues we see on our streets can unfortunately find their way into our churches.
10 Practical Security Tips for Rural Churches
1. Establish a Simple Security Team
You don’t need a large budget—just willing volunteers. Recruit 3-5 reliable members who can rotate responsibilities. Look for people with military, law enforcement, or emergency response backgrounds, but don’t overlook dedicated members with good situational awareness. Train them to observe and report rather than confront.
2. Control Access Points
Lock all but one main entrance during services. Position a friendly greeter at the main door who can welcome visitors while also monitoring who enters. This person should know your regular attendees and be trained to politely engage with unfamiliar faces.
3. Implement Strategic Positioning
Place security team members throughout your facility:
- One near the main entrance
- One with clear sight lines to the sanctuary
- One monitoring children’s areas
- One covering the parking lot and perimeter
- If you have multiple buildings, assign someone to check youth areas
4. Install Basic Camera Systems
Even budget-friendly camera systems can be powerful deterrents and investigation tools. Focus on entry points, parking areas, and main gathering spaces. Many modern systems allow remote monitoring from smartphones. One North Carolina church recovered a stolen $8,000 keyboard thanks to their camera system, leading to arrests across 9 counties.
5. Develop Communication Protocols
Equip your security team with discreet communication methods—two-way radios, group text messages, or hand signals. Establish clear codes for different situations and ensure everyone knows when and how to call 911. Consider having multiple people capable of making emergency calls.
6. Secure Your Valuables
- Walk with the offering during collection
- Use drop safes or secure rooms for storing donations
- Keep expensive equipment (instruments, electronics) locked when not in use
- Don’t leave purses, electronics, or money visible in the parking lot
- Encourage members to lock their vehicles and keep valuables out of sight
7. Know Your Surroundings
Rural churches often sit near various facilities. Be aware of what’s in your area—detention centers, halfway houses, or other facilities that might occasionally result in people seeking shelter or creating disturbances. This isn’t about discrimination but about being prepared and aware.
8. Train for Emergency Response
Teach your congregation the “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol:
- Run: Identify and communicate multiple exit routes
- Hide: Know secure locations within your building
- Fight: Only as a last resort, and only if trained and capable
9. Consider Professional Security
If your budget allows, hiring an off-duty deputy or police officer for Sunday services can provide professional security presence. Many law enforcement officers welcome the extra income, and their presence can deter problems before they start.
10. Maintain Welcoming Hospitality
Security doesn’t mean suspicion. Train your team to be observant but welcoming. A friendly “Good morning, I don’t think we’ve met” can serve both security and hospitality purposes. The goal is awareness, not paranoia.
Additional Safety Reminders
For Everyone:
- Always know where exits are located, whether in church, restaurants, or public spaces
- Stay aware of your surroundings
- Lock car doors immediately when entering or leaving your vehicle
- Report suspicious activity to church leadership or law enforcement
For Church Leadership:
- Regularly review and practice emergency procedures
- Keep contact information updated for all members
- Consider liability insurance that covers security-related incidents
- Coordinate with local law enforcement to introduce them to your facility
Moving Forward in Faith and Wisdom
Implementing church security isn’t about living in fear—it’s about being wise stewards of the people God has entrusted to our care. As the Scripture says, “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps” (Proverbs 14:15).
Your rural church may be small, your budget limited, and your resources stretched thin. But with thoughtful planning, volunteer dedication, and community cooperation, you can create a security-conscious environment that still feels like the warm, welcoming house of worship your community needs.
Remember, security is not a one-time fix but an ongoing commitment. Start small, build gradually, and always keep the focus on creating a safe place where people can encounter God’s love without fear.
Resources and Next Steps
- Contact your local sheriff’s department about conducting a security assessment
- Reach out to other rural churches in North Carolina to share resources and ideas
- Consider attending church security workshops or training sessions
- Connect with organizations like the Christian Security Network for additional resources
- Contact Lt Brian Rucker for individual church security recommendations
May God bless you as you faithfully serve and protect His people in rural North Carolina. Your vigilance today helps ensure that future generations can gather safely in His name.
For more resources on church safety and security, or to share your own experiences and tips with fellow rural ministers, please reach out to your local ministerial association or contact experienced church security teams in your area.
